Automatic snow removing device



Aug. 18, 1931. J g iTH 1,818,989

AUTOMATIC SNOW REMOVING DEVICE Filed Aug. 21, 1930 Patented Aug. 18, 1931 PATENT OFFICE MORGAN J. GRIFFITH, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO AUTOMATIC SNOW REMOVING DEVICE Application filed August 21, 1930. Serial No. 476,923.

My invent-ion is an improvement in automatic means for removing snow and other foreign matter from railroad tracks and the like, and relates more particularly toan apparatus of this type in which snow may be removed automatically at predetermined intervals from movable track sections, such as switches and the like.

Heretofore various methods and apparatus have been employed for removing snow from track switches. One method of removing snow from track systems has been to employ burners located along the track at convenient points usually at switches, whereby the snow may be melted and removed by one or more jets of flame directed to the areas to be cleaned. Another method has been the use of attachments on vehicles using the tracks and consists primarily in using one or more nozzles on the front of the vehicle for projecting jets of air or steam against the snow as the vehicle moves over the track. Still another method consisted in employing a fluid under pressure which is transported along the track and applied manually. In this method the device was in the nature of'a bellows or other manually operated device for directing a jet of fluid under pressure toward the areas in which it was desired to remove the snow or other foreign matter. Such devices and methods have many disadvantages.

and are usually expensiveto install and operate and require the attention of one or more persons in their operation.

In the use of burners, the flames often become extinguished accidentally or through failure of the fuel supply. Furthermore, in order to rid a considerable track area of snow a large number of burners are required because of the fact that their individual effective range is very limited. Where snow has been thus melted it will later freeze to form ice if it is not removed while in the liquid state. In the use of such devices as are attached to vehicles travelling on the track, it is necessary to bring the. vehicles to the area where it is desired to remove the snow. In severe storms this must be done at frequent intervals. In railroad yards the use of this method is impractical because of the erators in constant attendance.

constant use of the tracks for ordinary switching and hauling purposes. Furthermore, this method requires one or more op- The use of an implement such as manually operated bellows or other blower, requires that it also be transported to the area to be cleared of snow and requires the constant employment of one or more operators for this purpose.

By my invention these disadvantages are eliminated and I am enabled to construct an apparatus for automatically removing snow and other foreign matter from track switches and the like at predetermined intervals, without the attention of an operator. Since the snow is thus removed, the hazard of ice forming in the same area as a result of melted snow and lowered temperatures is also removed.

An object of my invention is to prevent the packing of snow between the movable parts of a railroad switch by automatically removing the snow at predetermined intervals and conveying the snow to one or more points remote from the track at predeterminedintervals. j

A further object of my invention is to provide an apparatus of this nature which is extremely simple of construction and which may be installed very inexpensively, since by this invention many parts of the apparatus may be constructed of standard pipe fittings and other stock parts.

Another object of my invention is to remove snow from the immediate area surrounding a track switch regardless of the position of the switch so that it will not likely be blown back by drifts and cross winds.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be more readily understood from thefollowing description of a preferred embodiment thereof reference being made to the accompanying drawings in'which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of my invention shown applied in use and illustrating a track section employing what is known as a turn. out

switch, the track sections and ties being shown in broken lines for purpose of clearness.

Figure 2 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 showing the feed pipe and connections for feeding fluid under pressure to opposite sides of the track.

Figure 3 is an enlarged section taken on line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 1 is an enlarged section taken on line ll of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a release valve shown in top elevation in Figure 1.

My invention contemplates the automatic removal of snow or other foreign matter of a similar nature at predetermined interval from track sections and especially from between the movable parts of a switch, the following being a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the drawings.

In Figure 1, I have indicated by broken lines a main line track at 1 and 2 and the movable switch rails 2 and 3. The switch represents what is known as a turn out switch. The switch rails 2 and 3 are connected together in the usual manner by means of cross bar 4 which is connected to the usual link 5 and switch operating mechanism G.

In carrying out my invention Imay provide a compressor unit including a reservoir 7 motor 8 and a pump 9 for compressing and storing a quantity of fluid, such as air, under pressure. An automatic release and closing valve is indicated at 10 and may be of any desirable construction or design and is located in the feed line 11 leading from the tank 7. Of course, when some other source f fluid under pressure is already available in the vicinity of installation of my apparatus, the motor and compressor pump may be dispensed with. The feed pipe 11 preferably extends to a point between the main line rails 1 and 2 and is connected by a suitable coupling 12 to the flexible conduits 18 extending transversely of the track and communicating through suitable couplings 1% with the discharge devices 15 and 16. Each of these discharge devices is provided with oppositely disposed nozzles 17 and 8 for directing a blast of fluid under pressure in a line substantially parallel to'the respective inner sides of the rails 1 and 2.

It will be noted that when the switch rails 2 and 3 are in the extreme position to the right in Fig. 1 the blast from one of the nozzles 17 is directed between the rails 2 and 3 to dislodge and convey to adistant point snow which may have collected between these rails subsequent to the preceding blast from these nozzles. Simultaneously, the blast from one of the nozzles 18 dislodges and conveys to a distant point snow which has collected near the inner wall of the rail 2. Likewise, when the switch rails are in the other extreme position, as to the left in Fig. 1 (not shown), snow is removed from between the rails 1 and 2 and from the inner side of the rail 8. The blast projected from the oppositely disposed nozzles 17 and 18 convey snow in an opposite direction away from the switch area.

I have provided means extending along the outer walls of the rails 1 and 2 at suitable points for delivering fluid under pressure to a plurality of nozzles to dislodge and convey snow from between adjacent ties in the areaoccupied by the movable parts of the switch. This means includes a feed line 19 in which, at suitable intervals, are connected a plurality of nozzles 20 for directing jets of fluid under pressure between adjacent ties. In the embodiment illustrated the nozzles 20 on both sides of the track section are arranged to direct the respective blasts to the right in Fig. 1, the snow conveyed by the blasts from the nozzles on the left of the track section being conveyed into the path of the blasts from the respective nozzles on the right. In this manner the snow is driven a considerable distance to the right and free of the track section.

I have also provided means for removing snow for an extended area along and between the respective rails 2 and 3 and 1 and 2. This means includes one or more nozzles 21 extending preferably through the webs of the rails 1 and 2 and connected to the respective feed lines 19. Each of the nozzles is provided with a discharge orifice 22 for discharging a blast of fluid under pressure from the line 19 and between the. respective rails 2 and 8 and rails 1 and 2. The direction of these'blasts is preferably that of the inner blasts from the nozzles 17 and 18 which likewise are directed between these rails. The nozzles 21 not only dislodge snow in their direct path-but also help to further convey the snow conveyed along with the blasts from the nozzles 17 and 18. In this manner I am enabled to remove the snow which has collected between the fixed and movable rails throughout their extent subsequent to this last operation of this device.

In Fig. 3 I have shown in slightly enlarged detail a section of the rail 2 and one of the nozzles 21. This nozzle is headed on one end while its other end may be threaded for connection with the feed pipe 19. The nozzle is hollow and conveys fluid under pressure from the feedline 19 to the discharge orifice 22. The nozzle body passes through the rail web and is secured in place by the nut 24.

In Fig. 4 I have shown in slightly enlarged detail a cross section of one of the nozzles 20 showing how it may be connected with the line 19 by means of ordinary pipe fittings.

At 25 I have illustrated removablenozzles' which may be inserted in the coupling connecting the nozzles 2-1 with the line 19. These removable nozzles may be used in either or both sides of the track section. When used on one side only a plug is substituted for the nozzle on the opposite side.

The operation of my invention may be described as follows The electric motor 8 is started, operating the compressor 9 to compress the fluid in this tank 7 and, when a suitable pressure has been built up in the tank the release valve 10 is automatically unseated to discharge the fluid.

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under pressure into the pipe line 11, the flexible connections 13, the lines 19 and the nozzles 17 18, 20 and 21. After the pressure of the fluid in the tank has been lowered to a predetermined degree the release valve is automatically reseated until such time as the pressure in the tank has been built up sufficiently to again release the valve. Any type of automatic control for release of the fluid under pressure may be used with my invention, but I prefer to use the type in which the period of fluid discharge may be predetermined. In this way, in relatively heavy snow falls, I may decrease the period of time be tween the discharge periods, and I may, if desired, regulate the duration of each discharge to suit various other conditions.

IVhen the valve 10 is released fluid under pressure is discharged in the form of a strong jet or blast from the nozzles 17 18, 20 and 21 as hereinbefore described, removing snow which has collected between the rails or ties and clearing substantially the entire area occupied by the switch so that free, unobstructed operation of the switch is assured. Furthermore the snow is conveyed to points remote from the switch area.

In Figure 5 I have illustrated in detail one type of release valve which may be used in connection with my invention and which is indicated generally in Figure 1 at 10. A pipe leading from the tank 7 is connected to a valve body 31 in the usual manner, the pipe 32 connecting the opposite side of the valve to the feed line 11. A valve head 33 is normally seated in the valve seat 34 by means of a compression spring 35 and the pressure of fluid entering through the pipe 30. The valve arries a valve rod 36 extending through the valve casing and terminating in a valve head 37 operating in a cylinder 38. A conduit 39 conveys fluid under pressure from the pipe 30 to the valve body 40. It will be noted that the bore of the conduit 39 is substantially onehalf the bore of the body 40 and that a valve 41 is normally seated. in the seat 42 under the compression of a spring 43. A slide valve 44 operating in the bore of the body 40 is provided with a downwardly extending spacing rod 45 which normally engages the valve 41. The bore of the body 40 communicates with the interior of the cylinder 38 by means of a conduit 46. The compression of the spring 43 may be adjustedby screwing the cap 47 up or down on the body 40, the cap having an outlet vent 48 which communicates with the bore of thebody 40. In use this valve assembly operates as follows:

Assuming that the parts are in the position indicated in Figure 5 and that air under pressure is admitted into the pipe 30 and one side of the valve body 31 such pressure below a predetermined degree will assist the spring 35 in seating the valve 33 against its seat. When the pressure in the tank 7 is built up by the operation of the pump to a point suificient to unseat the valve 41 against the compression of the spring 43, fluid under such pressure will be admitted into the larger bore of the body 40 and at thesame time the slide 44 will be lifted beyond the opening in the con duit 46 to admit fluid under pressure into the chamber 38. In this way the valve heads 37 and 33 are forced downwardly against the pressure of the spring 35 to permit passage of fluid under pressure from the pipe 41 through the valve body 31 to the pipe 32 and thence to the feed line 11. Since the pressure required to lift the valve 44 is only substantially one-half that required to lift the valve 41, the valve 44 will remain in its upper position to permit the passage of fluid under pressure into the cylinder 38 until the pressure of this fluid drops to a point Where the coinpression of the spring 43 W11]. again return the valve to the position shown in Figure 5.

During this period suflicient pressure will be' exerted upon the valve 37 to unseat the valve ized compressor plant and maintain one or more storage tanks with release valves in the vicinity of each switch.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims; 7

I claim: 7

1. .A method of conveying snow from track switches which consists in directing blasts of fluid under pressure against the areas to be cleared at successi e predetermined time intervals.

2. The method of removing snow from blasts of fluid under pressure against the areas to be cleared at successive predetermined intervals and in which some of said blasts are in the path of other of said blasts to further convey the snow carried by the first track switches which consists in directing blasts. I I h 3. An apparatus for conveying snow from tracks, comprising a source of fluid under pressure, and means for discharging said fluid under pressure along the tracks at predetermined intervals.

l. An apparatus for conveying snow from tracks, comprising a source of air under pressure, and means for discharging said air under pressure in a plurality of planes with respect to the tracks.

5. An apparatus for conveying snow from tracks, comprising asource of air under pressure, and means for discharging said air under pressure simultaneouslv transversely and substantially parallel to the rails.

6. The combination with a fixed rail and a movable rail of a source of fluid under pressure, and a fluid discharge device for directing a blast of fluid under pressure between said rails at predetermined intervals whereby foreign matter between the rails may be conveyed to a remote point.

7. The combination with a fixed rail and a movable rail of a source of air under pressure, and an air discharge device for directing a blast of air under pressure to either side of said movable rail depending upon its position at rest when said air under pressure is discharged.

8. In a snow removing apparatus for railroad tracks the combination with a rail, and a source of fluid under pressure, of a nozzle intersecting the rail and having communication with the source of fluid under pressure,

said nozzle comprising a headed conduit having a discharge orifice extending in a plane intersecting the axis of the conduit.

9. An apparatus for conveying snow and other foreign matter from track switches, in-

cluding a source of fluid under pressure, and means for directing said fluid under pressure against the matter to be removed and in the form of a plurality of blasts.

10. An apparatus for conveying snow and other foreign matter from track switches, including a source of fluid under pressure, and means for directing said fluid under pressure against the matter to be removed and in the form of a succession of blasts discharged at predetermined time intervals.

In testimonywhereof, I hereunto aflix my signature.

MORGAN J. GRIFFITH. 

